Grant’s epic challenge supports cancer care

Keen cyclist and charity fundraiser Grant Longden has tackled not one, but two, marathon challenges to raise funds for the Christie Hospital in Manchester.

Funeral Arranger Grant, from Wythenshawe Funeral Services, cycled the Manchester 100 Mile around the Cheshire countryside, achieving a time of seven hours and 17 minutes.

Fortunately, his aching limbs recovered quickly in time for Grant to take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge six days later.

Walking 24 miles, involving climbs of more than 2,000m, Grant conquered the three peaks of Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in 10 hours 57 minutes.

This was the third time Grant had tackled the Yorkshire Three Peaks, but he insisted it was also his last. “I was absolutely exhausted by the time I finished, I had nothing left, and struggled to get my boots off,” he said. “I did it on my own and it was very tough, I just had to keep going, by the third peak my feet, knees, legs and hips were hurting!”

While Grant had trained for his cycle challenge, cycling a round trip of over 25 miles to work from his home in Salford most days, he admitted he hadn’t had time for much hillwalking training.

Grant, who grew up in Withington, hopes to get close to his £500 fundraising target to support the vital research and cancer care provided by the Christie Hospital. He said: “Cancer is a lottery, if you are unfortunate enough to get it, you need people like those at the Christie.
“They do a wonderful job. I hope I won’t ever need their services but, if I do, I’d be in the safest hands.”

Earlier this year, father-of-four Grant cycled around seven Funeral Partners funeral homes in the Manchester, Stockport and Liverpool areas to raise £250 for The Ticker Club at Wythenshawe Hospital.